Itinerary
- Day 1
Urumqi
You'll arrive in Urumqi, the capital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. This city sits farther from any ocean than anywhere else on Earth, positioned on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains. It's your starting point for exploring one of China's most isolated and culturally diverse regions.
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hantang Hotel)
Landmarks Tianshan Mountains 
- Day 2
Urumqi to Fuyun
After breakfast, you'll drive out to Heavenly Lake of Tianshan, a crescent-shaped alpine lake sitting at 1,910 meters. The lake is ringed by dense spruce forests with Bogda Peak rising dramatically nearby. You can walk the 12.5 km lakeside trail if you have 3 to 5 hours, or simply relax by the water. From there, you'll continue on to Fuyun and check into your hotel by evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jinhong International Hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Heavenly Lake of Tianshan
- Lakeside walking trail (12.5 km, approximately 3-5 hours)
Optional Activities
- Boat ride around the lake
- Maya Mountain cable car
Landmarks Heavenly Lake (Yaochi) Bogda Peak 
- Day 3
Fuyun
You'll head to Koktokay National Geopark to see rare mineral deposits and the Irtysh Grand Canyon. The 'Lover Trees' and 'Blue Bay' are on your route, along with the No. 3 Mine Pit which drops over 100 meters down. Later, you'll reach the Five-Colored Beach near Burqin in time to catch the sunset over the Yardang landforms.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Staff sergeant International Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Koktokay National Geopark
- Explore Irtysh Grand Canyon
- View Shenzhong Mountain (Amirsara Peak)
- Watch sunset at Five-Colored Beach (Wucaichai)
Landmarks Koktokay National Geopark Irtysh Grand Canyon Five-Colored Beach (Wucaichai) Shenzhong Mountain Irtysh River - Day 4
Burqin to Kanas
You'll drive to Jiadengyu and switch to a shuttle bus that takes you deep into the Altai Mountains and the Kanas Scenic Area. There you'll find Kanas Lake, a crescent-shaped body of water known for its shifting colors. You can either climb 1,068 steps to the Fish-Watching Pavilion on Camel Peak for sweeping views, or hike through shaded forest trails connecting Moon Bay to Wolong Bay.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (The Brich Forest Resort Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Kanas Lake
- Access to Fish-Watching Pavilion on Camel Peak
Optional Activities
- Hike shaded forest trail from Moon Bay to Wolong Bay
Landmarks Kanas Lake Camel Peak Fish-Watching Pavilion Moon Bay Wolong Bay - Day 5
Kanas to Burqin
You'll visit Hemu Village about 30 km east of Kanas, where Kazakh and Tuva people live in traditional log houses. It's called 'China's No. 1 Village' and draws visitors for its autumn colors and misty mornings. After exploring the village and checking out the Hemu Viewing Platform, you'll head to Burqin for hotel check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Staff sergeant International Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Hemu Village
- Access Hemu Viewing Platform
Landmarks Hemu Village Hemu Viewing Platform Hemu River - Day 6
Burqin
You'll explore Wuerhe Ghost City, a landscape shaped by millions of years of water and wind erosion. Table-shaped mountains with reddish-brown and gray-green rocks create formations that look like ancient city walls and fortresses. This striking scenery actually inspired the film 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jinhui International Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Wuerhe Ghost City (Yadan)
- Shuttle bus access included
Landmarks Wuerhe Ghost City - Day 7
Burqin to Yining
You'll drive through Bortala Prefecture toward Sayram Lake, where snow-capped mountains and grasslands stretch across the horizon. Circling the lake lets you see the different shades of blue throughout the day. After passing through the Guozigou Valley and its dramatic winding bridge, you'll arrive in Yining City for hotel check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Jiahui Hotel )
Included Activities
- Visit Sayram Lake
- Drive through Guozigou Valley
Landmarks Sayram Lake Guozigou Valley Guozigou Bridge - Day 8
Yining to Nalati
You'll drive from Yining to Nalati Grassland, one of the world's four major alpine valley grasslands. The scenery combines blue skies, glaciers, snow-capped peaks, forests, and grasslands all together. In the Nalati Sky Grassland Scenic Area, you'll explore nomadic traditions and can try horseback riding if interested. Hotel check-in happens in Nalati Town or Xinyuan County.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nalati Sky Grassland Scenic Area
- Experience nomadic lifestyle
Optional Activities
- Horseback riding across the grassland plains
Landmarks Nalati Grassland Nalati Sky Grassland Scenic Area - Day 9
Nalati to Jinghe
You'll return to Jinghe via Yining, and if you're visiting in June when lavender blooms, there's an option to see the lavender fields. Huocheng Lavender offers purple waves of flowers and the romantic feel of a border town. Yining sits as Central Asia's largest spice production hub, famous for Tianshan narrow-leaf lavender, peppermint, and spearmint.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Huocheng Lavender fields (if visiting in June)
Landmarks Huocheng Lavender Yining - Day 10
Jinghe to Urumqi
After breakfast, you'll drive to Kuitun and visit Dushanzi Grand Canyon, just 40 km away. The canyon drops 200 meters with a riverbed spanning 100 to 400 meters wide, carved by snowmelt from the Tianshan Mountains. You'll see the winding river, open plains, and snow-capped peaks from the cliff edges. Then you'll continue back to Urumqi for hotel check-in.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hantang Hotel)
Included Activities
- Visit Dushanzi Grand Canyon
Optional Activities
- Glass bridge
- Rope bridge
- Archery
Landmarks Dushanzi Grand Canyon Tianshan Mountains 
- Day 11
Urumqi
This day is yours to explore Urumqi at your own pace. You might head to Hongshan Park where a red hill has a viewing tower offering city views. The Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum has historical artifacts, ethnic relics, and rare mummies. The Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar is good for picking up raisins, dried apricots, and essential oils, or you can sit down for authentic regional food.
- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hantang Hotel)
Included Activities
- Access to Hongshan Park
- Access to Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum
- Access to Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
Landmarks Hongshan Park Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Museum Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar - Day 12
Urumqi
After breakfast, you'll head to the airport with time to spare for your flight home. You'll leave with memories of Xinjiang's landscapes, the hospitality of local people, and experiences you won't forget.
- Meals
- Breakfast
